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The site was chosen and work began. Due to the size of the rain garden and the overgrowth of weeds in the location, we had to use a Bobcat to clear the area.
Rain Garden clearing 1 & 2
The hillside between the rain garden and the parking lot was overgrown with honeysuckle, an invasive species, so we took this opportunity to clear out the undergrowth.
(picture Rain Garden clearing 3)
The rain garden takes shape after the excavation is completed. The hillside is cleared of undergrowth and honeysuckle roots.
(pictures Rain Garden excavated 1 & 2)
The base of the rain garden is roto tilled in preparation for adding and tilling the compost.
(picture Rain Garden base tilled)
The base of the rain garden and the hillside roto tilled.
(picture Rain Garden base & hillside tilled)
Thanks to Alvis Landscaping and Golf Course Supplies, we had plenty of compost for our rain garden. After three inches of compost were tilled into the base, we added another three inches of compost to continue breaking down the clay and to add nutrients to the soil for the plants. You'll also notice that we added rocks to the two entry pipes to slow the water as it enters the rain garden.
(picture Rain garden composted)
We get by with a little help from our friends…THANK YOU to the Webelos of St. Ann's Church Cub Pack 660 for helping with planting the rain garden plants. This was the last part of their requirement to earn the Cub Scout World Conservation Award. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
(pictures conservation project 1,2 & 3)
The rain garden is populated with 200 plants. White Oak Garden Center donated some of the plants for the rain garden and an additional nine shrubs which we planted in the area surrounding the rain garden. You'll notice some stones on the hillside. We added these as seating areas for you to relax and enjoy watching the butterflies and birds the rain garden will attract.
We're not done yet. We have added grass in the area between the rain garden and the sitting area, be we still need to seed the hillsides leading down to the rain garden. We will landscape the seating area hillside by adding some ground cover plants and some ornamental grasses. We hope to have the entire area complete by late spring of 2008.
(pictures conservation project 1,2 & 3)